Lenovo Laptop CPU Driver Unable to Update to CPU Manufacturer

Microsoft Windows 1909 (Build 18363.752)

I have a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 laptop.

I was able to update the GPU driver to the latest GeForce driver.

However, when I tried update the CPU driver to the latest Intel driver (for the Core i7-9850H), the driver would not install citing an error that told me to download driver from my "Computer Manufacturer".

I tried installing through Device Manager as well (Browse, Let me pick, Have disk (then go to intel's unzipped download)). This didn't work as it said it was the wrong driver, but I downloaded this file from this location.
The readme file for the install in this zip package looked suspiciously like a GPU installer, however, I re-downloaded it from intel's site and the same zip downloaded. I am left to assume that it is the proper download for my CPU driver.

The current driver for my CPU is Microsoft 10.0.18362.693 from 21-Apr-09.
The current Intel Management Engine Firmware is 12.0.49.1534

Please advise.

Old problem. Downloading and installing from System Update or Lenovo Vantage can work. Lenovo Vantage is a universal app from MS Store, should be preinstalled.

If not, browse the Lenovo forums, you will find detailed instructions there to update from Device Manager.

Okay, those are the first step 'have you considered this' types of solutions, and I appreciate your advice. Still, while my Lenovo does a pretty good job of keeping itself updated in most areas, when it comes to CPU and GPU the Lenovo site and Vantage are woefully outdated.

In fact, I was unable to even open Call of Duty War Zone until I upgraded the GPU driver to the GeForce driver (instead of Lenovo's Vantage version).

Unfortunately, my game still crashes a lot, and I cannot help but think if I upgraded the CPU driver to the hardware manufacturer's driver instead of the computer manufacturer's driver, like I said in my original post, then the computer would perform more as it should. After all, Lenovo essentially just recycles the hardware drivers a few months, years, decades, or never later.

So, any ideas on how to do this?

I'm unfamiliar with a "CPU driver".

I have seen chipset drivers. The latest Lenovo offeres are here: laptops and netbooks :: thinkpad x series laptops :: thinkpad x1 extreme gen 2 - US Lenovo isn't kind enough to supply the version number, but they're dated August 2019.

The latest Intel chipset drivers I find are these: Downloads for Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility

I see no mention of whether it supports the CM246 chipset of the Lenovo.

There is some chance that Lenovo has modified the device ID of the laptop's motherboard, so that generic Intel drivers will not install.

This thread is about the NVidia GeForce driver, as I have understood it.

The problem is that the driver available via Lenovo channels (System Update, Vantage) is not the latest one. And if the driver is downloaded from Nvidia (or following the links in this forum) the installation fails, saying that the driver must be downloaded from Lenovo.

This problem has existed for a long time, at least for Intel drivers, and solutions have been posted in the Lenovo forums. The basic point is to completely uninstall the previous driver(s), before installing the new one. In some cases the .EXE file is used, in others the .ZIP file.

These procedures are risky. It is a must to have backup images and to be familiar with the process to restore them.

Thank you bobkn

I suppose that is why processors have 'drivers' from 2009? I never before noticed that Device Manager listed processor driver providers as Microsoft.

The link you sent for the IME is version 91534 from Jan 2020, and is the same one that I already have. So, unfortunately that means I have a different issue or the game itself is just glitchy. I was hoping that having manufacturer drivers for everything would have my system running without issues, but I suppose that is not how this works. I will just have to wait for Infinity Ward to update their issue, or for GeForce to put out another driver.

Thanks.

Anibor, sorry for the misunderstanding, I was trying to be descriptive about everything I had tried so far. My assumption that there must be CPU drivers out there clearly caused confusion.

FUState said:

I suppose that is why processors have 'drivers' from 2009? I never before noticed that Device Manager listed processor driver providers as Microsoft.

All Microsoft provided drivers have a date like that. That is so that if and when you or the hardware manufacturer put out a driver, the date is not a consideration.

As far as a CPU driver, trying to find one is a fools errand as the only CPU driver is whatever comes with Windows.